Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday that Tehran said it was “possible” to reach an agreement on the nuclear program and release four Americans held in Iran.
“They are two different paths, but if the other side (the United States) has the resolve, there is the possibility of a reliable and lasting agreement on the two issues in a short period of time,” said Iranian diplomatic spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh. .
These statements come in response to the statements of the US envoy to Iran, Robert Malley, who considered that an agreement between Washington and Tehran on the nuclear program was unlikely if Iran kept four American prisoners.
Those arrested are Iranian-American businessman Siamak Namazi, 50, his father Baqer, 85, environmental scientist Morad Tahbaz, 66, and Imad Sharqi, a 57-year-old businessman.
Regarding the Iranians detained in the United States, Khatibzadeh described the situation as a “humanitarian issue” on the agenda between the two countries.
The Iranian official considered that there is “progress” in the dialogue in Vienna on the nuclear program, but said that “important issues” are still outstanding, which requires political decisions by Washington.
Talks to restore the Iran nuclear deal resumed in November with the aim of reviving the 2015 accord between Tehran and the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, China and Germany.
After the United States unilaterally withdrew from the agreement in 2018, this dialogue seeks to once again bring Iran into compliance with the terms of the agreement to limit its nuclear program.
PDM / SK / awa / an / mb
